Brother mourns crash victims

The brother of one of the victims of the car crash at Rakaia
that took three lives last weekend has spoken of the pain and
sadness of losing "three of the most important people in our
lives in one swift, sudden and final hit".

In an emotional post of Facebook yesterday, Ed Hone, older
brother of Abi Hone, said the crash that took the lives of
Abi, Ella Summerfield and her mother Sally on Saturday was
"without a doubt the worst thing that has ever happened to
our families".

Mrs Summerfield's husband Shane Summerfield, who was driving,
is recovering in Christchurch Hospital. Dutch tourist
Johannes Jacobus Appelman has been charged with careless
driving causing death in relation to the incident.

"Words cannot do justice to the pain, irregularity,
loneliness, loss and love that losing our little Abi, the
lovely Ella and one of the most kind, giving and approachable
Mum that Sally was," Ed Hone wrote.

"The last few days have been seriously rough in the Hone
house. Moods swinging from beautiful happiness, to
unspeakable sadness, and the most odd feeling of normality.

"I am confident that we could not have provided Abi and Ella
with a more perfect life, and I know for the 12 years that
Abi was around, she will have lived them to the very fullest.
She was loved by all and all loved her.

"It is easy to contemplate the obscene amount of coincidences
that have to occur in the right order at the right time, in
the right place to the right people in order for a car crash
to occur. It is easy to think that maybe if I'd said that
last word to Abi before she left the car that morning, that
car would have missed them."

He pleaded for people not to be angry at Appelman.

"It is also easy to simply shift our blame and anger to the
driver of the vehicle that hit them. This is not only
completely inhuman and wrong but also completely insensitive.
To all the people out there who feel anger for the man who
hit them, do not.

"The fact of the matter is, that man did not get out of bed
that day and say to himself that he was going to murder three
people. If you blame him, then you simply do not get it.
Everyone has to understand that the man will be feeling every
bit as hurt as we all are."

He asked people to pray for Shane Summerfield's recovery.

"I have never been a believer in a God or a greater force,
but I think our thoughts and prayers should be with Shane at
this time and that we make sure he pulls through for Sam.
Because sh*t is Sam going to need his Dad."

He described the amazing community support the family had
received.

"You have no idea what it feels like to know that people care
for you that much.

"On the morning after the accident our family went down to
cave rock. We got out the car not really sure what to expect
from the situation. As we got closer, the mass of people
there began to hit me in particular. You know she was well
loved when at least 100 people turn up to a completely
unofficial meeting to comfort us.

"For those of you who do not live in Sumner, you will never
understand what kind of a community it is. To get down there
and see the boys and girls I had grown up with and knew so
well was the most touching gesture. You Sumner boys and Girls
are there for me and my family when we need you, and I'll
sure as hell make sure I'm there for you when you need me.